The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the two-day Conference of Governors at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on August 2, 2024. The conference covered a wide range of issues that play a critical role in not only shaping the Centre-State relations but also promoting welfare schemes for common people. The Vice President, the Prime Minister and the Union Minister for Home Affairs also addressed the inaugural session. The Vice President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, referred to the oath of the Governors and urged them to discharge their constitutional responsibility of making people aware of social welfare schemes and incredible development that have taken place during the last decade.
“Governor should be a bridge between Centre and State”
– PM Narendra Modi at Conference of Governors
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, urged the Governors to play the role of an effective bridge between the Centre and the State and interact with people and social organizations in a manner to co-opt those who are underprivileged. He said that the post of the Governor was an important institution which could play a crucial role in the welfare of people of the State within the framework of the Constitution, particularly with reference to tribal areas. The Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah, delineated the course of discussions that the two-day conference will take and urged the Governors to visit ‘Vibrant Villages’ and ‘Aspirational Districts’ to instill confidence among people and give fillip to developmental work. The President stated that the change in our thinking was evident from the names of the laws: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam.
The President emphasized quality higher education as essential for individual and social progress, innovation, and economic growth. She highlighted the focus of national education policies on improving accreditation and assessment systems and urged Governors to support these reforms as state university chancellors. She stressed that the Government of India’s priority is the development of the poor, border areas, and deprived sections of society, particularly those with large tribal populations, and urged governors to suggest ways to achieve inclusive development.
Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat:
The President emphasized channeling youth energy into positive work through the ‘My Bharat’ campaign and urged Governors to promote it. She highlighted the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ campaign for promoting unity among states and UTs, and called on Governors to strengthen this spirit. She also acknowledged efforts to address climate change and global warming. She said that the governors can contribute to this by making the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign a people’s movement on a larger scale.
The President said that by encouraging natural farming, we can increase soil fertility and enhance farmers’ income. She stated that to promote natural farming, the Raj Bhavans can lead by example. The President expressed confidence that all the governors will continue to contribute to the service and welfare of the people, doing justice to the oath taken by them.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged governors to model ideal governance in Raj Bhavans, train staff, adopt the latest technology, and promote digitization. He called for utilizing alumni networks to create drug-free educational campuses and encouraged adopting natural farming practices, inspired by Gujarat’s governor, to make Raj Bhavans chemical-free. He said that the Raj Bhavans should become a source of motivation and inspiration for others.
State-led development:
The President emphasized that the country’s development relies on the inclusive and accelerated progress of all states, learning from each other’s best practices. She stressed the importance of last-mile delivery in public welfare programs and urged governors to ensure these benefits reach every eligible citizen for true inclusive development. The President emphasized the importance of women’s participation in social inclusion, advocating for the empowerment of women through self-help groups and start-ups. She advised governors to engage with female entrepreneurs and institutions supporting women. Additionally, she encouraged governors to promote the development of scheduled areas and tribes, ensuring proper utilization of resources for tribal welfare.
The President emphasized that Raj Bhavans should reflect Indian ethos and promote a sense of belonging among the public. She suggested that governors should enhance public connections by opening Raj Bhavans for visits and organizing social and cultural events. The President highlighted global appreciation for India’s digital initiatives and urged Raj Bhavans to use digital mediums and organize events on cyber security and innovation. She stressed the importance of smooth institutional functioning for public welfare, emphasizing governors’ roles as links between the Centre and States to promote cooperative federalism. The President encouraged governors to set exemplary standards for citizens.
The two-day Governors Conference concluded on August 3, 2024, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where the President appreciated the Governors’ collaborative approach and extensive discussions aimed at mutual learning. The conference underscored the importance of leadership in driving inclusive development, promoting technology, and engaging youth. Also, as pointed out by the President, that various central and state agencies should work together for better coordination across all states. The conference provided an enriching experience for all participating Governors representing various states and UTs which will help them in the effective functioning of the Governor’s office. These combined efforts are essential for advancing national progress and unity.
Vidhan Bharat 
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